Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enroll in the Honors Program?

Students coming with an ACT score of 28 or SAT 1250 and a GPA of 3.3 minimum are automatically selected. The prime criterion, however, is your passion for quality.

What if my test scores are a point or two shy of the required levels?

Once again, if you strongly desire to be in the program, we want to have you on board. The program welcomes your appeal for provisional admission. We realize that sometimes the best of your labor or quality may not be reflected in test scores. Talk with us about your extracurricular interests and leadership experience that we may consider as make up strengths.

How long is the program? How many credits do I need to earn an Honors degree?

The Honors program does not lengthen or shorten your degree time. To earn the degree, you must earn 24 Honors credits from a list of “H-tagged” courses. Up to 15 of these credits could be in gen ed, and 9 from your major. The final 3 hrs in the major may be a capstone course or a research project under faculty supervision. If you plan it carefully, one Honors course per semester should be enough to help you complete the program smoothly.

Can I join the Honors Program after my first or second semester at Judson?

You can join the program or take Honors courses anytime you would like. You must maintain a 3.3 GPA to enter and to continue in the program.

Can I join the Honors Program if I am a transfer student?

Yes. You can start taking Honors courses if you are entering with a 3.3 GPA on your transcript, which also overrides the test scores required for those coming straight out of high school. Please note that you must have enough program time left in your Judson degree plan to complete the 24 Honors credits.

Can I drop out of the Honors Program without hurting my degree plans?

Certainly. You can switch to the regular degree plan if you wish to discontinue taking Honors courses. The courses for which you earned Honors credit will appear as such in your diploma.

Do Honors students take more courses than do regular degree students?

No. The credits required for a regular degree and an Honors degree are the same. The Honors difference is only in the category of courses that student takes. The Honors program does not add extra coursework to the degree plan.

Does it cost extra money to be in the Honors Program?

No. The cost is the same for Honors and the regular degree.

Will I be considered an Honors student if I make the Dean’s List, even though I may not be in the Honors Program?

No. The Dean’s List is an official recognition of students who attain or surpass a certain merit level, not a program. In order to earn the Honors degree, you must be in the program, completing all its requirements. However, successful Honors students tend to appear in the Dean’s List almost consistently.

What privileges do I have as an Honors student at Judson?

Judson University offers you a number of Honors courses that inspire and challenge your capabilities:

You will work with dedicated faculty eager to invest their time and talent in you.

You can do research projects with faculty supervision. You can study abroad on any continent of your choice.

You can showcase your creativity on campus and at regional or national forums.

Numerous guest lectures, social events, entertainment outings, etc., await you throughout the year.

Your transcript and diploma bear Honors mention.

You graduate in Honors regalia.

What is the extra value in the Honors degree?

Honors work distinguishes you as a motivated scholar capable of higher level work. The Honors mention in your transcript and diploma gives you competitive advantages in graduate school, research, or career pursuits.

Honors Program Advisor

Dr. Craig Kaplowitz hails from New Jersey, went to college and graduate school in the South, and now lives and works in the Midwest, leaving him fluent in three great American dialects. His teaching interests span from policy to urban/suburban history to the history of Latin America. More Info >